Lakers 93, Heat 83

og="http://opengraphprotocol.org/schema/" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en">The template the Lakers had in place for this season -- a plan that new coach Mike Brown believed in while so many others lost faith -- looks pretty valid and solid right now.

The Lakers got their signature victory for this season Sunday in beating NBA championship favorite Miami, 93-83. The Lakers improved to 17-2 at home this season, and they did it much the way Brown envisioned three months ago could indeed happen.

The Lakers made good use of their size, with Andrew Bynum blocking three shots in the first 8 1/2 minutes. They got sound perimeter leadership especially from Steve Blake, whom the Lakers pegged to come through so much more this season. And everyone flew around on defense as trying to compile an inspirational coaching video from just one game for Brown's "make-multiple-efforts" credo: The Heat, who came in shooting a league-leading 48.8 percent, shot 37.5 percent against the Lakers.

Plus, Kobe Bryant's laser-like offensive accuracy and Metta World Peace's resurgent game were huge Lakers boosts. Bryant had 33 points on 14-of-23 shooting in his third game with a mask to protect his broken nose. World Peace scored 17 points and hounded LeBron James, who still had 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

The Heat missed power forward Chris Bosh, still away from the team because of the death of his grandmother. Fill-in starter Udonis Haslem and center Joel Anthony combined to shoot 0 for 7 from the field in the first half with just four rebounds in 29 combined minutes.

James started the second half at power forward for Miami, meaning he had to guard the 7-foot Pau Gasol but Wade could let defensive ace Shane Battier guard Bryant. Wade had just eight points on 3-of-10 shooting in the first half. He fouled out with 5:04 to play, having scored 16 points.

In his last game Bryant set a new record for most regular-season points scored at one arena for his 13,788 at Staples Center, which opened in 1999. (The previous holders of that record were Hakeem Olajuwon at Houston's Compaq Center and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the Forum.) Bryant looked as comfortable as ever in his home arena Sunday with 18 first-quarter points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field.

Bryant started 6 for 8 against Wade, whom Bryant absolved of ill intent in breaking Bryant's nose a week ago in the All-Star Game, before hitting both jumpers he attempted over Battier. After scoring 31 and 38 points in his first two games wearing the protective mask designed by Marc Fleckner, who makes most of the Lakers' orthotics, Bryant will still on Monday explore the possibility of switching masks.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.